Real Madrid remain third, behind Atletico Madrid and Hansi Flick’s Barca, who had won their first nine games before a chastening week. Kylian Mbappe struck twice to earn Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid a 2-1 Clasico victory over La Liga leaders Barcelona on Sunday at Camp Nou, cutting the gap to three points.
French superstar Mbappe opened the scoring before the interval and then slotted home late on to inflict Barca’s first domestic defeat of the campaign after Raphinha had equalised for the champions.
“In general we didn’t have a great game, in the first half we weren’t ourselves, there were a lot of things we could have done better,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri told DAZN.
The hosts were dealt a setback when young defender Xavi Espart pulled up hurt and needed to be replaced by Alejandro Balde before the half-hour mark.
Mbappe scored his 10th league goal of the season and also his easiest, with Barca’s Gerard Martin clearing a cross straight at the Frenchman, who deflected it into the net. Barca responded by carving out a glorious chance for an equaliser but teenage sensation Yamal for once miscued in front of goal, firing wide when poised to level. The game opened up and Yan Diomande came close to doubling Madrid’s lead before half-time, drilling into the side-netting. Martin redeemed himself early in the second half as he held off Jude Bellingham, who could neither beat the defender nor find a free Mbappe.
Andriy Lunin, playing in goal for Madrid after Thibaut Courtois pulled out of the squad with flu, saved at his near post from Gordon before the visitors took the lead.
